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KACHINA WETLANDS via HIGHLANDS TRAIL
Flagstaff
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| Kachina Wetlands: April 2013 |
Hidden on a high Flagstaff mesa just about a mile off I17 is
a walk able, 70-acre waterfowl wonderland. The Kachina Wetlands is a collection of 8 shallow ponds
constructed to manage treated effluent water. The project, which began in 1988
with the cooperation of various agencies including NAU, AZ Game & Fish and
Coconino County, has auxiliary goals to improve wildlife habitat and foster
native vegetation. Although some of the ponds are not operational right now,
the site is still prime real estate for winged beasts. Thick growths of cattails and other
aquatic plants coupled with
mid-pond islands provide safe havens from marauding elk and hungry
forest critters for the hundreds of species of birds and waterfowl that
frequent the area. The marshy
pools are aflutter with grebes, mallards, coots, sandpipers, nighthawks,
woodpeckers, swallows, chickadees, jays, warblers, blackbirds and soaring birds
of prey. Until recently, the only
hiking opportunity here was the mile or so of circumference paths. That all changed when the Highlands
Trail-- which connects to Ft Tuthill Park-- was completed in 2009. Woodsy but unremarkable, the easy,
urban-class Highlands Trail stays close to civilization dodging public roads and private properties on its 3.7-mile track from the park to the wetlands. The trail wanders through
a checkerboard of pine-oak woodlands (with occasional views of San Francisco
Peaks and Mormon Mountain), skirts a few suburban backyards and crosses AZ89A
before reaching the wetlands.
LENGTH: 9.6 miles round trip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION:
6890' - 7040'
BEST SEASON: open year-round, but bird sightings are best
spring-fall
DOGS: dogs MUST be on leash and stay out of the wetlands ponds
FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic tables, camping at the park
GETTING THERE:
Fort Tuthill County Park (as described here):
From Phoenix travel north on I17 to exit 337 for AZ89A and "county fairgrounds". At the end of the off ramp, continue straight into Ft. Tuthill Park and follow the main road to the Yavapai Ramada parking lot.
From Phoenix travel north on I17 to exit 337 for AZ89A and "county fairgrounds". At the end of the off ramp, continue straight into Ft. Tuthill Park and follow the main road to the Yavapai Ramada parking lot.
Kachina Wetlands (direct access):
From Phoenix take I17 north to exit 333 for Kachina
Village. Go left off the access
road, drive under the freeway and take the first right on Tovar Trail. Follow
this road 1.5 mile to the corner of Tovar Trail and Lohali Trail, park on the
right and pass through the gate to the wetlands.
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| Yellow-headed blackbird |
HIKE DIRECTIONS:
From the Ft Tuthill Yavapai parking lot, hike south on the
road on the west side of the amphitheater to where Soldiers Trail (marked by
green lathe-style signs) crosses.
Head west (go right) and follow Soldiers Trail roughly .30 mile to a
signed, but un-named junction.
This is the access path for Highlands Trail. Turn left here and within 0.2 mile you'll come to the north
end of the loop portion of Highlands Trail. Go either way and continue 1 or 1.3 mile to AZ89A. Cross the road and continue 2.5 miles
on Highlands to Kachina Wetlands.
There are several trails circling the ponds. When done exploring, return the way you came or take the
opposite leg of the Highlands loop back to the parking area. NOTE: Ft Tuthill Park
has an "official" trailhead serving all its trails. If you begin there, add another mile to
the overall distance shown here.
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| Peaks view along Highlands Trail |
INFO & MAP:
Fort Tuthill County Park, Coconino County Parks &
Recreation: 928-679-8000
Kachina Wetlands:
NAU management plan:
Northern Arizona Audubon bird checklist:
http://www.northernarizonaaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Kachina-Wetlands-Bird-Checklist.pdf
MORE PHOTOS:
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